2025 SFN Mastermind Group Retreat RECAP

21st Century Dads Foundation held its 5th Annual SFN Mastermind Group Retreat in Chicago from September 5-7, 2025.

This year’s retreat was held in Chicago and took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. 25 men attended the retreat, including two dads from Iceland and one from Uganda.

The retreat kicked off with a Meet & Greet with pizza & sodas.

On Saturday morning the group participated in a Cycle To End Father Absence (C2EFA) ride at Cyclebar River North.

The morning session included playing 21CD/SFN Trivia and talking about the importance of Self-Care as well as Respite. SFN Mentor Father Randy Lewis** made a terrific presentation over lunch. The afternoon session included discussions about the history of disability and a short film curated by Allan Shedlin of The Daddy Film Festival.

From there the group enjoyed a performance by Dennis Watkins at the Magic Parlour, Chicago’s #1 Show (as per TripAdvisor). The evening was capped off with a sumptuous dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy Grand, including birthday wishes for SFN Mentor Fathers Todd Evens & Nathan Woerner.

Sunday’s session included discussions about Planning Ahead and Ideas for Improving the Mastermind Group experience.

All in all it was a fun and memorable experience. Lots of laughter, some tears and good fellowship.

** Randy was featured in Episode #2 of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

He also gave a terrific TEDx Talk.

SFN Mastermind Group Dads – attend the entire retreat at no cost including a double occupancy room.

Please enter your discount code at the checkout to receive a full comp standard registration. 

If you prefer a single room, the single supplement is $125/night. Mastermind Group Dads will be billed separately for this fee.

Non-SFN Mastermind Group Dads – are welcome to attend all or a portion of the retreat.  Double occupancy rooms are available at a cost of $125/night.

Friday, September 5th      Non-Mastermind Group Prices

6:00pm – 9:00pm: Meet & Greet/Pizza & Soda: No Charge

Hotel Room (double occupancy): $125

 
Saturday, September 6th: $150 (includes C2EFA ride, all meetings, lunch, dinner and entertainment)
7:15am – 8:00am: Cycle To End Father Absence (C2EFA) Ride at Cyclebar (includes C2EFA t-shirt)
9:00am – 12:00pm: Morning Program
12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch & Learn
1:30pm – 4:00pm: Afternoon Program
4:30pm – 6:30pm: (Show TBD)

7:00pm – 9:00pm: Maggiano’s Little Italy ($50 – dinner only)

 

Hotel Room (double occupancy): $125

Sunday, September 7th: No Charge
8:00am – 11:30: Morning Program
Register for the 2025 SFN Mastermind Group Retreat
CLICK HERE FOR 2024 RETREAT RECAP
CLICK HERE FOR 2023 RETREAT RECAP
CLICK HERE FOR 2022 RETREAT RECAP
CLICK HERE FOR 2021 RETREAT RECAP
Learn more about the SFN Mastermind Group Program
Here are some of the locations and SFN Mentor Fathers who have been through training and volunteered to be local leaders, list in alphabetical order by city: 
 
Bellevue, NE – Jarell Roach
Denver, CO – Nathan Woerner
Houston, TX – Frederick Jefferson
 
You can click the names above to listen to each of their SFN Dad To Dad Podcasts.
 

SFN Mastermind Group dads meet weekly for 75 minutes. Each meeting: 

  • starts with a round of wins from the past week, 
  • includes a discussion of the current book (6 per year) being reviewed, 
  • has two Dad-In-The-Middle sessions for dads to share a challenge, and 
  • ends with a recap and look at the week ahead. 
Each dad also makes a monthly financial investment that covers the cost  of the books, admin and the annual in-person retreat (2023 – Chicago, 2022 – St. Louis and 2021 – Nashville). 
 
We are only looking for 10 ‘like-minded’ dads per location.
 
If you or someone you know is located in one these 10 locations and is interested in learning more about the SFN Mastermind Group, please CLICK HERE to send Nathan a message to follow up with you.   

TESTIMONIALS FROM SOME SFN MASTERMIND DADS:

"The experience of being in a Mastermind group, where we build one another up through weekly conversation, accountability, and celebrating the wins of special needs fathering, can only be topped by the annual Mastermind retreat, where we get to do all of the above as we enjoy great food, hospitality, and adventures together in person! Being part of this fellowship has been such a fundamental turning point in my growth and maturity over the past year. I would not be reaping the fruits of a more abundant life without these guys and our commitment to one another."
Matt R.
"The mastermind groups are highly unique in that they comprise that rare place of encouragement and challenge. No place else on the planet is there a group of men so humbled and refined by the special needs fires of this life. They lend a patient, listening, and non-judgmental ear to those seeking to grow and be the best fathers they can be."
Joe L.
"Once again our retreat came at a perfect time for me, having just gone through a difficult period with Daniel. It's almost like as soon as you see that first Dad all filters disappear and you are comfortably naked. We are free to expose feelings, fears, and our darkest moments without any fear of judgment...... I Luv you all and would do anything to make your life just a little bit easier if not for just one day in our sometimes stressful lives, remembering always that the Blessing we receive are countless and Beautiful."
Jeff J.
"Each retreat causes me to understand the issues of raising special needs children more deeply, as well as reinforces the significance of father presence."
Rich G.
"I can't recommend the SFN Mastermind Group Retreat enough. It's a unique opportunity to bond with fellow dads dealing with similar struggles, learn from inspiring speakers, and recharge in a beautiful setting."
Jason H.
"Thanks for your e-mail and for organizing such a great weekend. I found it very valuable and energizing. The SFN bond is unique and I’m lucky to be a part of it."
Mike M.
"It was so wonderful to spend time in Chicago with this group of “disability dads”. We played hard, but also worked hard on going deep to connect even more with one another. Many of us have come to view this group as brothers. Though our children range in age from toddlers to well into their 30’s, and with disabilities both physical and intellectual across the IDD gamut, these guys have one thing in common: a deep desire to be better fathers, better husbands, and better men."
John S.
"Having attended my first SFN Mastermind retreat this past weekend it was a tremendous experience. The time spent with the other fathers was a humbling experience, but also a hopeful experience reinforcing the fact “You are not alone” in this fatherhood journey."
Shane M.
"There are few things I look forward to more than the weekend I get to see these men. I've been so empowered by the weekly SFN Mastermind over the year, yet there is something powerful about being in the same room."
Nathan W.
"I always enjoy getting together with these guys in person. Great time yo share ideas and recharge the batteries."
Tony B.